reflection

1. [countable] an image that you can see in a mirror, glass, or water:
Can you see your reflection in the glass?
2. [uncountable and countable] careful thought, or an idea or opinion based on this:
A moment’s reflection will show the stupidity of this argument.
on/upon reflection
At first I disagreed, but on reflection (=after thinking carefully about it), I realized she was right.
3. [countable] something that shows what something else is like, or that is a sign of a particular situation
reflection of
His speech was an accurate reflection of the public mood.
be a reflection on somebody/something (=show how good or bad someone or something is)
On some level, a student’s grades are a reflection on the teacher.
4. [uncountable] the action or process of light, heat, or sound being thrown back from a surface

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

reflection

re·flec·tion [reflection reflections] (BrE also old-fashioned re·flex·ion) [rɪˈflekʃn] [rɪˈflekʃn] noun
1. countable an image in a mirror, on a shiny surface, on water, etc

• He admired his reflection in the mirror.

2. uncountable the action or process of sending back light, heat, sound, etc. from a surface

3. countable a sign that shows the state or nature of sth
• Your clothes are often a reflection of your personality.

• The increase in crime is a sad reflection on (= shows sth bad about) our society today.

4. uncountable careful thought about sth, sometimes over a long period of time
• She decided on reflection to accept his offer after all.

• A week off would give him time for reflection.

5. countable, usually plural your written or spoken thoughts about a particular subject or topic

• a book of her reflections on childhood

6. countable an account or a description of sth
• The article is an accurate reflection of events that day.
see on mature reflection/consideration at mature _adj.
See also: reflexion
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French reflexion or late Latin reflexio(n-), from Latin reflex- ‘bent back’, from the verb reflectere.
Example Bank:
• Counselling should encourage reflection on the past.
• He caught sight of her reflection in the window.
• Her reflection in the mirror looked distorted.
• His low level of performance is no reflection on his general ability.
• I saw my reflection in the polished marble.
• In the reflection on the glass door he could see the class behind him.
• Kyle's reflection appears in the glass.
• My reflection stared back at me.
• On further reflection, I'm not so sure it's a good idea.
• She caught him admiring his reflection in the mirror.
• She has some interesting reflections about the spiritual state of the country.
• Such decisions may be made after thoughtful reflection.
• Such studies do not give a true reflection of population needs.
• Teachers should encourage reflection on the part of their students.
• The movie is a poor reflection of Kerouac's work.
• The party needs a period of sober reflection about what went wrong.
• There is reflection of heat from the metal surface.
• They took a few minutes to offer their personal reflections.
• This account is only a pale reflection of the true state of affairs.
• This was a clear reflection of Marc's personality.
• Young people's behaviour is a direct reflection of adults'.
• the reflection of the mountains on the calm waters of the lake
• A period of calm reflection is now needed.
• After a moment's reflection he started to speak.
• He published his reflections on war and peace last year.
• She concludes by providing some reflections on the gains of the previous decade.
• She decided, on reflection, not to take the job.

• We asked them to give us their reflections about the state of the industry today.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

reflection / rɪˈflek.ʃ ə n / noun [ C or U ] formal (THOUGHT)

C2 serious and careful thought:

On reflection (= after considering it) , I decided I had been wrong.

After 30 years as a judge, her reflections on/about justice were well worth listening to.

reflection / rɪˈflek.ʃ ə n / noun [ C usually singular ] (SIGN)

C1 a sign or result of something:

The fact that soldiers are on the streets is a reflection of how terrified the government is.

reflection / rɪˈflek.ʃ ə n / noun [ C or U ] (IMAGE)

reflection

B2 the image of something in a mirror or on any reflective surface:

In Greek mythology, Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.

He put silver foil around the fire to increase heat reflection.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

reflection

[rɪfle̱kʃ(ə)n]
reflections
1) N-COUNT A reflection is an image that you can see in a mirror or in glass or water.
  Meg stared at her reflection in the bedroom mirror.
2) N-UNCOUNT Reflection is the process by which light and heat are sent back from a surface and do not pass through it.
  ...the reflection of a beam of light off a mirror.
3) N-COUNT: usu N of n If you say that something is a reflection of a particular person's attitude or of a situation, you mean that it is caused by that attitude or situation and therefore reveals something about it.
  Inhibition in adulthood seems to be very clearly a reflection of a person's experiences as a child.
4) N-SING: usu N on n If something is a reflection or a sad reflection on a person or thing, it gives a bad impression of them.
  Infection with head lice is no reflection on personal hygiene...
  The library is unique and its break-up would be a sad reflection on the value we place on our heritage.
5) N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl Reflection is careful thought about a particular subject. Your reflections are your thoughts about a particular subject.
  After days of reflection she decided to write back...
  He paused, absorbed by his reflections.
  ●
  PHRASE If someone admits or accepts something on reflection, they admit or accept it after having thought carefully about it.
  On reflection, he says, he very much regrets the comments.
6) N-COUNT: usu pl Reflections on something are comments or writings that express someone's ideas about it.
  In his latest collection of poems readers are confronted with a series of reflections on death.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

reflection

[rɪfle̱kʃ(ə)n]
reflections
1) N-COUNT A reflection is an image that you can see in a mirror or in glass or water.
  Meg stared at her reflection in the bedroom mirror.
2) N-UNCOUNT Reflection is the process by which light and heat are sent back from a surface and do not pass through it.
  ...the reflection of a beam of light off a mirror.
3) N-COUNT: usu N of n If you say that something is a reflection of a particular person's attitude or of a situation, you mean that it is caused by that attitude or situation and therefore reveals something about it.
  Inhibition in adulthood seems to be very clearly a reflection of a person's experiences as a child.
4) N-SING: usu N on n If something is a reflection or a sad reflection on a person or thing, it gives a bad impression of them.
  Infection with head lice is no reflection on personal hygiene...
  The library is unique and its break-up would be a sad reflection on the value we place on our heritage.
5) N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl Reflection is careful thought about a particular subject. Your reflections are your thoughts about a particular subject.
  After days of reflection she decided to write back...
  He paused, absorbed by his reflections.
  ●
  PHRASE If someone admits or accepts something on reflection, they admit or accept it after having thought carefully about it.
  On reflection, he says, he very much regrets the comments.
6) N-COUNT: usu pl Reflections on something are comments or writings that express someone's ideas about it.
  In his latest collection of poems readers are confronted with a series of reflections on death.